Brussels – EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fuele has expressed regret that the Ukrainian authorities have failed to pass the necessary legislation to switch to the second stage of the action plan on liberalization of visa regime.
“Now it is a pity that we are still short of a couple of legislative acts for finalizing the first stage of this visa liberalization action plan. I hope very much that the preparation for a summit, the summit itself will be used by the Ukrainian authorities to create a momentum in this area,” Fuele said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine ahead of his visit to Kyiv.
The European commissioner added that the action plan contains “a specific list that clearly defines what kind of legislation, what kind of steps need to be taken for the [EU] member states to be able to provide Ukraine a visa free regime for the Schengen countries.”
He said the action plan has two stages: first one involves Ukraine’s work to pass a list of specific legislative acts, and the second stage involves their implementation.
“The list of what needs to be done has been clear from the very beginning, the process is very clear, very transparent, and the speed with which you deliver on that expectation does not depend on bureaucrats here in Brussels but on the political courage and determination of Ukraine’s politicians,” Fuele said.
He expressed the hope that for the benefit of Ukrainian people the Ukrainian authorities would be able to deliver on those remaining issues, which will allow the European Commission to send a report to the member states about the first stage, make some further analysis and start the second stage.
“The ultimate decision to allow Ukraine a visa free regime will be for the member states to take,” he said.
